NoLIta Cantina

Christina McDermott
NoLIta Cantina, Liverpool restaurants, Liverpool food

NoLIta Cantina may not be the first to bring ’merica to Merseyside but you can’t argue with its understated, deli-style menu.

Liverpool has always had a bit of a crush on New York. Popular wisdom tells us it’s because both are port cities that ultimately lead to the Atlantic but, whatever the reason, the Scouse fondness for a certain type of Americana runs deep. You can see it in the outsized architecture around Pier Head, hear it in the city’s fondness for country music and, more and more, you can taste it in the food. Recently, it feels as though everywhere you turn in the city there’s a new US-themed bar opening, serving up hot dogs, burgers, mac ‘n cheese and other “dude food”. If that kind of thing floats your boat, you could do a lot worse than swinging by NoLIta Cantina on Bold Street.

The name (an abbreviation of ‘North of Little Italy’) refers to an area in lower Manhattan, although it’s no relation to Manchester’s similarly-named SoLIta (restaurant owners these days seem fairly confident that their clientele are familiar with the geography of The Big Apple). The owners claim to be inspired by the kind of Jewish delis NYC is famous for – think Katz’s (made famous by When Harry Met Sally) or Russ & Daughters – and promise, among other things, “a refined take on deli-style sandwiches, Southern cuisine and traditional cocktails”. Less sass, more sandwich – sounds good to us.

Chefs Jen Roberts and Grace Makin have said they wanted to avoid the “style over substance” approach they’d seen in deli-style restaurants elsewhere. The decor is pleasing and unfussy and, while it might not be massively redolent of a traditional NY eatery, it avoids the chrome and Formica kitsch you often find. But is the food suitably Nuyorican? A quick glance at the menu reveals the ubiquitous pulled pork (served on potato latkes – your Bubbie would approve) and giant burgers that we’ve come to expect, alongside other, less typical delights. These include slow-cooked beef brisket, gigantic pastrami-on-ryes, Hush Puppies (small savoury donuts of cornmeal, beer and cheese that pop in the mouth and are highly addictive), “Buffalo Chicken Blasts” and “Frickles” (deep fried pickles served with a blue cheese dip). These are just made for munching between slurps of one of their decent range of US craft beers (Sam Adams, Brooklyn Lager and Sierra Nevada to name just three) or a “Lagerita”, a wicked lager-and-tequila cocktail. If you pop in for lunch during the weekdays, you may be lucky enough to find your fries – a deliciously munchable mix of potato and sweet potato that come highly recommended – are ‘bottomless’ until 4pm, an offer it would be rude to refuse.

NoLIta isn’t exactly reinventing the wheel and its understated approach means that it might struggle to stand out in what is an increasingly crowded market (especially as the service can sometimes be a bit erratic) but it offers good food at reasonable prices (along with the all-important free Wi-Fi) so I’ll have what you’re having – especially if it’s the chocolate peanut butter pie.

81a Bond StreetLiverpoolL1 4HF View map
Telephone: 0151 708 5061 Visit Now

Admission Charges

Free

Services and Facilities

Bar, restaurant and Wi-Fi

Venue permanently closed.

What's on near NoLIta Cantina

An image captured from overhead of two men embracing. One is seated, and the other is kneeling.
Until
ExhibitionsLiverpool
On the other side at FACT

‘On the other side’ at FACT presents the work of three artists, thoroughly examining themes of authority, power and control.

free entry
Until
ActivityLiverpool
Old Dock Tours, Liverpool

The Old Dock tour is a treat for younger and older visitors alike, fans of Liverpool’s maritime past, and anybody curious about local history.

£8.50 with concessions

Where to go near NoLIta Cantina

City Centre
Café or Coffee Shop
Bold Street Coffee

A super cool cafe at the top of Bold Street, Bold Street Coffee in Liverpool serves a range of specialist coffee, cakes and sandwiches.

Liverpool
Restaurant
Maray

Much-loved Liverpool restaurant, specialising in forward-thinking small plate dishes.

Liverpool
Restaurant
Food From Nowhere

Food From Nowhere is a weekly vegan cafe held in the basement space of much-loved radical bookshop News From Nowhere. It’s open every Saturday from midday to 5pm.

City Centre
Café or Coffee Shop
LEAF on Bold Street

Keeping Bold Street a hub of creativity, LEAF is more than a tearoom, it’s also a bar and thriving event space with a packed schedule of upcoming happenings.

City Centre
Café or Coffee Shop
Garden Cafe FACT

FACT Liverpool gets back to its coffee-with-creativity roots thanks to a foliage-full new café.

City Centre
Event venue
FACT

FACT Liverpool includes three arthouse cinemas, two galleries, event spaces – as well as an excellent ground-floor cafe and first-floor bar.

Photo of wooden tables and a green leather sofa
City Centre
Restaurant
Bretta & Co

Comprising of a deli and a small restaurant, Bretta & Co looks minimalist, modern and tasteful – the kind of place that puts you in mind of lazy brunches and ladies who lunch.

City Centre
Shop
69A

Junk emporium 69A in Liverpool is the shop that time forgot. It has been peddling vintage wares since 1976.

Culture Guides

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in Manchester and the North

Affecting contemporary performances and fresh, relevant takes on enduring classics, we pick out shows that help us scrutinise the world we live in.

Teenage Dads
Music in Manchester and the North

Fresh concert seasons, forward-thinking festivals and a revolving door of amazing gigs. Things are looking bright as spring comes into view.